Pure Barre

Pure Barre Experience

I've been a member of a gym since the age of 19. I go hard, then fall off the workout wagon at times! I'm like a yo-yo gym go-er! I was excited when Pure Barre opened in Oceanside to try something different and to mix up my usual spin/ weights and cardio routine.  The studio is absolutely beautiful and private. I like that passerby's cannot look in! It's so clean and the staff is warm and welcoming. I didn't feel intimidated at all. 

There was a good mix of woman in the class I took. There were both big and small, young and old. Using light weights and a small ball, Amanda (who was an AMAZING instructor) led us through exercises consisting of small isometric movements. I liked the use of the ball- I felt it aided in focusing on the area we were working on. We also positioned it behind our lower back during the ab portion of the class and it was just the support I needed. 

There were some parts of the class that I found difficult. Not a can't breathe- I'm going to pass out kind of difficult, more of a burning, shaking difficult! Some of the movements were hard for me to perfect but I believe that will come with time and practice. The instructor corrected my form a few times when I couldn't make my body do what my mind was telling it to! A beginners class is highly recommended. 

I was sore for a few days after the class. My ass hurt in places that haven't in all my years of squatting! This is a GOOD thing ladies! My abs were sore, also a very good thing! The old exercise motto, "no pain, no gain" promises greater value rewards for the price of hard or even painful work…Pure Barre delivers!

If you're looking to tone up for summer, Pure Barre is for you. I believe with consistency and determination, you can transform your body practicing Pure Barre techniques. Give it a try. I took one class and I cannot wait to go back again, sore ass and all! 

Visit Pure Barre of Oceanside at 3563 Long Beach Road/ Sands shopping center (516) 766- 0465 and mention Secrets of a Momaholic for 15% off any purchase by 3/31/14. Use coupon code OceansidePB. 

Baked "Cupcake" Eggs

Making the right food choices is a constant battle for me. I love carbs- especially pizza! Ive learned that working out alone doesn't do it for my body. Exercise and diet go hand in hand for me. When I am being really good, I get in this zone that puts me in this mindset that certain foods, like pizza, are not an option...not even the crust that Max leaves on his plate!  I still make the kids the foods they like, I've just conditioned myself to stay away from them. Yes, its hard- but very worth it. 

I am human and do fall off the foodie wagon! Last week between all of the BBQ's and extracurricular activities I partook in, I ate and drank like it was nobodies business...but I'm paying for it with my fluffiness! I'll work extra hard this week by paying close attention to what I put in my mouth and bring out the she beast at the gym! I did a run on Saturday and a spin class on Sunday to start the process. 

In my house, breakfast is our favorite meal. I should seriously consider housing a chicken- that's how many eggs we go through! I happily cook up eggs in the morning because of the protein they offer. When my kids were toddlers, I would whip up spinach and cheese omelette's and they would gobble them up along side me. As they grew and got pickier, spinach in eggs were no longer an option- for them. For me, I love throwing some greens into my eggs. Instead of making two batches of eggs, I utilize my cupcake pan to make every one's breakfast to their liking. 

I use my 2 cup measuring cup to crack the eggs and to mix them up (I despise dishes!). It's also much easier pouring them into the cupcake pan using this. 

Ingredients

• 6 eggs (makes 8 cupcake eggs)
• 1/2 cup of 2% milk (or whatever you have)
• salt & pepper to taste
• American cheese (shredded or diced)
• asparagus (I used 3)
• goat cheese (crumbled)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Whisk your eggs with the milk. 

Spray the cupcake pan with non-stick spray. Right now, I'm loving Trader Joe's coconut oil spray. There's no fat, no calories, no sodium, sugar or carbs! 

Fill your pan with the eggs starting with halfway then fill more with the remaining eggs.

Top off four of the eggs with American cheese. As well as cracking and whisking the eggs, Chloe and Max assist with topping off their eggs. I feel like this gives them ownership of their meal, making them want to eat their creation. 

Top off the other four with asparagus and goat cheese. 

Bake for 18-20 minutes. Check them at 18 by sticking a fork in. If the fork is clean, take them out- just like real cupcakes! If the fork has egg on it, leave them in for the 20. 

I made biscuits with the eggs that I didn't eat! I had a small bowl of Kashi cereal on the side. Making simple changes like this will help pounds come off and your body healthier. This is an easy way to prepare something for your family that everyone can eat at the same time. Alter your ingredients to your liking and to switch things up.

Learning How to Run

 A few months ago, I couldn't run more than 3 minutes without losing my breath, getting shin splints, and a pain in my side. I didn't believe runners that told me that this would subside. I never imagined I would be able to run longer than 5 minutes. I was determined. I tried and tried, pushing myself one minute longer each time I reached my goal. Yesterday, I ran ten minutes straight- the longest I have ever ran without a break! This was success for me! I felt amazing walking out of that gym!

How I started:

I started off real slow- running two minutes and stopping until I was able to catch my breath again. I ran again when I felt the urge to. I read somewhere to run until your tired and walk until your bored and it must have resonated with me!

 

Once I was able to reach the two minute goal without feeling like I was going to die, I added another minute! I repeated this until I made it to 6 minutes. I told a friend how much trouble I was having running longer than the 6 minutes and she told me to lower the speed. I was running at 5.0-5.2 so I lowered it to 4.7 (thanks Doreen!). Her advice helped me so much! I was able to go straight from six minutes to ten.

 

That night, I started with a 5 minute warm-up walk, then ran for ten minutes.

I stopped at ten minutes and walked for another five before running another ten. I finished off with a 5 minute cool down.

 

Tips to take to the gym:

Set small goals for yourself- even if it's a one minute goal.

Stretch first before running.

Bring lots of water.

Make a playlist that will get you ampted!

Remember that this isn't easy & that Rome wasn't built in a day! This takes time!

If I can run- I swear anyone can!

Stretch after your run.

 

Obviously I am still a long work in progress myself. I started this process approximately two months ago. I do not consider myself a runner by any means! I am just someone who has the desire and drive to run. I have always wanted to and just couldn't believe that I was able to. I am a beginner runner myself, trying to inspire those with the same desire as me.

 

My shin splint pain has subsided as well as the pain in my side...damn runners were right! I am also able to breath easier running at a slower pace.

 

My ankles do hurt- but I kinda like it! I reminds me of all the hard work I did.

 

My goal is to be able to run 30 minutes straight.

 

I hope this post gets in your head and gets you on your feet! If you're a mom like me, running helps get the crazy out!

 

Let me know how it goes if you give it a go!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change

 

As I was going through my past posts, I came across this one and was surprised I never published it. I wrote it at the end of summer when Fall was upon us.

 

Change is always present in our lives. Although it may not always be easy, I believe change is good.

And...it is definitely in the air. For me, my 4 year old daughter starts Kindergarten, my 2 year old son, pre-school. I am looking forward to the routine that comes along with the school year, the leaves turning from green to various shades of reds, oranges and yellows and cooler days for long walks and bike rides with the kids. I'm also looking forward to making some of the changes I have been wanting to make to Secrets of a Momaholic for quite some time now. The few hours I will have to myself  (for the first time in almost 5 years!) while Max is in pre-school will be dedicated to my writing.

I write about what I love. My family, my kids, healthy food for kids. I like writing about topics that may help other moms. I enjoy writing stories that touch people whether it be funny or sentimental. I have written about fitness in past posts and have gotten a great response. Fitness has been a big part of my life, something I have had a love/hate relationship with most of my life. As much as I love it, its a constant struggle...especially since the kids came along. Someone gets sick...out for a week. And I'm sure I don't have to tell you how hard it is to get back in once there is a lapse.

As a mom, I don't do much for myself. Working out is my sanity. Part of me not losing my mind is feeling good...I get that from a great workout. We have to take care of ourselves to take care of our children, right?

When I first started this blog, it was focused on children. Now, as I change and grow with my children, the dynamic of Secrets of a Momaholic will have some changes along the way as well.

I want moms to feel great about themselves. If you aren't into fitness, I hope to inspire you to at least introduce it into your life. A walk can do lots for a stressful day- believe me!

Come November, Secrets of a Momaholic will be a year in the making. I have learned a lot since I started this from nothing. I knew nothing about the business of blogging and I still have so much to learn a year plus later. I hope to keep the readers I have and gain new ones along the way.

Taking a new path can sometimes lead you to where you were always meant to be. Hopefully as I turn over this new leaf, I find my place and my voice and where it is meant to be.
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As I reflect on this post months after writing it, I realized what matters most is staying true to yourself. If I stay true to myself and write about what I love...I'm hoping the rest will follow. Inspiring other moms to lead a healthy lifestyle with their families is something I find very important. I hope to accomplish this goal while growing my blog.

If you have been with me from the beginning, I truly thank you! If you are new, I hope to offer you something that brings you back again and again.

 

Suddenly Lance Armstrong!



Spin Room at Rok Fitness

Much like Weezy, I just moved on up to a deluxe gym! My new gym is so nice it makes me want to be there! I do elliptical in their cardio theater!

I think the change of environment was great for my workout routine- especially since I added spin classes to my regimen. I took a class the first day I joined...nearly keeled over halfway through- but LOVED it once the class was complete! So much so that I went to another the next day- and the day after that as well. I love how fast the class goes and I have no time for my mind to race! I come out drenched which makes me feel like I got my ultimate workout in. Sounds great, right?

Yes- the workout is great. What's not great is that I pulled a muscle in my left calf. This is what happens when one thinks she is suddenly Lance Armstrong! So- 5 classes in and I'm out for a few day...and I MISS it!!! Just when I was making it through the class without cursing myself for taking it!

I'm hoping to be back on Sunday. Can you imagine? Actually hoping to be back by Sunday of all days?? !! I'm excited that I found something that gets me psyched enough to miss it when I cannot do it.

If your caught up in a workout rut- try a new gym. I'm so happy I did!

Colored denim

I'm baaaaaack!

My hiatus wasn't planned- the break was due to a broken keyboard...a la Chloe and Max! 

I am loving all the colors that denim has to offer this season! I have never had a problem spending way too much money on a pair of jeans until these gems came along! Not knowing how long they will be around, I was faced with the challenge of my unwillingness to spend my usual obscene amount on a pair. I passed on last seasons red and blue because of this problem. I was determined with the lighter versions. I went to Gap and tried a pair on...they didn't work out. Gap jeans never have fit me well. I wondered if going in knowing this clouded my decision prematurely so I attempted American Eagle with no luck there as well. The jeans bagged in all the wrong places and didn't fit in all the right.

Desperate for a pair, I ordered a pair of way too much for colored denim J Brand from Piperlime. It was against my will...I folded and I wasn't proud of myself. When they arrived and were tried on, it was love at first sight. They fit so well, were the perfect length...all of my views on overpaying for denim that will more than likely last one season- went out the window. In my mind, I began rationalizing my expensive purchase as I do- to make it OK. It is my birthday, I do need them for my upcoming weekend away, I haven't bought jeans in a while...and to hell with it- they really are cute! Once you go premium denim- there is no going back!

I packed my jeans for my Philadelphia trip. They were a perfect pairing for my slouchy blazer I planned on wearing with them. As much as I loved them, the new found frugal girl in me still wanted to try to find a pair for less. My colored jean mission continued on the streets of Philly. As I entered Zara, I was greeted by a table of colored denim from corals to blues....ahhhh- so pretty! I took in a few different sizes and colors and fell in love all over again in the dressing room. I was pleasantly surprised.They were good- I mean really good. So good in fact that I couldn't decide which color or how many I was going home with! Of course my rational was that I can get three pair for the amount I paid for the J Brand! The fit was amazing.

I did however leave with only one pair- basically the same color or as close as I was going to get to the J Brand. I will be making my way to Zara this week to buy another- or maybe even two!